Also, those of you recommending a competition where you can only use freebies: I am ALL for that. I do the same myself, but:

There has to be a high degree of accountability and more proof than just a list, stating what VSTs everyone uses. A screenshot, perhaps. Those who are judging will have to watch like a hawk for any paid VST that crops up.........

Hardcore participants may take it one step further and only use DAW defaults, if they so wish.

Interestingly enough, no one was disqualified and/or privately dropped out from the Underdogs Group, whereas slightly more did in the Prof. Amateurs, and the most did in the All-Stars! That means that the Underdogs Group is the most competitive at this point, as 3 participants from each group will still advance to the next round.

That is interesting - were some people disqualified? How come? Naming no names.

I've also 'fanned' all the people who got through to this submission stage - so you all have one new fan anyway.

Earlier in the thread (or it may have been a diffeent thread actually), someone mentioned about how expensive vst etc can give people an advantage - how about a competition where you can only use free vst? For a level playing field. Not because I rail at the injustice of people using whatever they want, but just for the fun, and you'd end up with lots of chiptunes, which can only be a good thing.

Then you could make the argument that some DAWs have native VSTs that have numerous capabilities that others do not. For example, Ableton's Sampler is far better than FL Studio's Direct Wave. DAWs all have their own advantages and disadvantages -- but it all comes down to how experienced the user is in tandem with how comfortable they are with the tools provided to them.

Also, those of you recommending a competition where you can only use freebies: I am ALL for that. I do the same myself, but:

There has to be a high degree of accountability and more proof than just a list, stating what VSTs everyone uses. A screenshot, perhaps. Those who are judging will have to watch like a hawk for any paid VST that crops up.........

Hardcore participants may take it one step further and only use DAW defaults, if they so wish.

Also, those of you recommending a competition where you can only use freebies: I am ALL for that. I do the same myself, but:

There has to be a high degree of accountability and more proof than just a list, stating what VSTs everyone uses. A screenshot, perhaps. Those who are judging will have to watch like a hawk for any paid VST that crops up.........

Hardcore participants may take it one step further and only use DAW defaults, if they so wish.

You could do that - there's something to be said for having absolute rules that everyone can stick to, and it does seem like the majority do prefer a lot of clarification/clarity when it comes to these things.

In ideal world though, I do like the idea of a competition where people get into the spirit of it. It might be self-policing to a point I suppose, as people listen to other people's tracks and might spot something that should not be there. I would like to think that most people would stick to a vague guideline of 'free vst' or 'DAW only' or similar though.

The worst that could happen is that someone 'cheats' and does well/wins - and to be honest, that wouldn't bother me that much as it would be fairly lame behaviour, but wouldn't necessarily detract from the fun of making your own thing for the competition.

Presumably the person who had snuck in their Omnisphere synth or whatever would be found out at some point, and then everyone would point at them.

Then you could make the argument that some DAWs have native VSTs that have numerous capabilities that others do not. For example, Ableton's Sampler is far better than FL Studio's Direct Wave. DAWs all have their own advantages and disadvantages -- but it all comes down to how experienced the user is in tandem with how comfortable they are with the tools provided to them.

True - or if it became an issue that concerned people, you could split into various groups like in this competition, and have your FL vs other FL users and likewise Ableton vs Ableton users and so on.

I personally wouldn't be too bothered about somebody having something in their DAW that's better than my version or vice versa. As you say, experience of the tools counts for a great deal. Not saying I'm fantastic by any means. I can make great tools sound shitty along with the best of them, and shitty things sound...well, not quite so shitty on a good day.

We've taken the liberty of liking/hearting everyone participating within the NGAUC this year, as have a few of the other participants.
We are all best internet brother friends now, guys.
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Then you could make the argument that some DAWs have native VSTs that have numerous capabilities that others do not. For example, Ableton's Sampler is far better than FL Studio's Direct Wave. DAWs all have their own advantages and disadvantages -- but it all comes down to how experienced the user is in tandem with how comfortable they are with the tools provided to them.

True - or if it became an issue that concerned people, you could split into various groups like in this competition, and have your FL vs other FL users and likewise Ableton vs Ableton users and so on.

I personally wouldn't be too bothered about somebody having something in their DAW that's better than my version or vice versa. As you say, experience of the tools counts for a great deal. Not saying I'm fantastic by any means. I can make great tools sound shitty along with the best of them, and shitty things sound...well, not quite so shitty on a good day.

I wouldn't be bother either. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be bothered if someone used East West Symphonic orchestra against my meager Kontakt 5 library. I just find the idea of feeling upset because somebody has a "better" VST a bit silly. Take for example a fairly popular uprising trio, Audeka. Their primary synths? 3xOsc, a minimalist synth, and Harmor, a resampler. Or how about the quest so many people go on to get Sylenth1 or FM8 when, if they took the time to learn synthesis, could easily create the sounds they wanted in stock synths like Sytrus, Harmor, GMS, and Poizone.

In other words -- I get what you are saying and it might seem fair to you. To me, however, I don't think it is necessary. I do, however, wish you luck in the competition here. As a matter of fact, I wish all of you guys luck. A lot of these tracks are simply amazing!

At 8/23/14 12:40 PM, Sundans wrote:
Then you could make the argument that some DAWs have native VSTs that have numerous capabilities that others do not. For example, Ableton's Sampler is far better than FL Studio's Direct Wave. DAWs all have their own advantages and disadvantages -- but it all comes down to how experienced the user is in tandem with how comfortable they are with the tools provided to them.

Perhaps it may be, but for testing purposes, I made one song almost completely with FL defaults. (Transformation, and it's under my 2013 works.) Now granted, I'd have to take off the Soundfont Player for future pieces. Still: DirectWave may not be the best, but twiddling around with it will give you its uses. Any seasoned musician would think that request to separate users by DAW is unnecessary. And for us FL users, it's a much appreciated challenge!

At 8/24/14 02:07 AM, Troisnyx wrote:
Perhaps it may be, but for testing purposes, I made one song almost completely with FL defaults. (Transformation, and it's under my 2013 works.) Now granted, I'd have to take off the Soundfont Player for future pieces. Still: DirectWave may not be the best, but twiddling around with it will give you its uses. Any seasoned musician would think that request to separate users by DAW is unnecessary. And for us FL users, it's a much appreciated challenge!

You are right -- Direct Wave is a pretty nice VST for acoustic resampling. It's got limited harmonic capabilities too, which few resamplers have. On the other hand, in terms of bass resampling -- which is what I've used it for a few times -- I have to say that the Ableton Sampler is, overall, much better in terms of audio manipulation capabilities. It has a few more harmonic options, more pitch and effect options and is, over all, much more integrated with Ableton's systems.

But, as I've said in my previous posts, it all comes down to the knowledge and willingness the user possesses -- and I certainly recommend experimenting with Direct Wave, and any other synthesizer to get the sounds you want.

I do NOT like the idea of this "all use the same sounds" challenge. For one you're forgetting many of use do acoustic recordings (vocals etc) and even metal (like me) and that wouldn't work for us at all.
Second I came FROM the realm of having nothing, worked my arse off for years to get out of it, hell it's how I learnt to squeeze every last bit of juice out of every crappy plugin I could back in the day. Now I have good stuff though and I know that challenging myself in the past has made me better but I don't want to go back to having limits on my creativity when now, I have hardly any beyond my own ability to imagine.

Rocker, Composer and World Ambassador for Foxes! I'm on Youtube. Veteran REAPER user. Click below for the song that got me 2nd place. :)

At 8/24/14 06:55 AM, MetalRenard wrote:
I do NOT like the idea of this "all use the same sounds" challenge. For one you're forgetting many of use do acoustic recordings (vocals etc) and even metal (like me) and that wouldn't work for us at all.
Second I came FROM the realm of having nothing, worked my arse off for years to get out of it, hell it's how I learnt to squeeze every last bit of juice out of every crappy plugin I could back in the day. Now I have good stuff though and I know that challenging myself in the past has made me better but I don't want to go back to having limits on my creativity when now, I have hardly any beyond my own ability to imagine.

Then such a contest might just not be something for you specifically, I really get your point but on here are a lot of people who (correct me if i'm wrong) make their music exclusively electronically. If we could arrange a small one round competition where you're only allowed to use one or two synths it might be really cool even just for a one off or something. I mean you could then again do a competition where you're just allowed to record stuff that you have in your room (not your instruments or when you use them dont use them in the way they are intended to e.g. use your guitar corupus as a drum or something). We would just need to be creative people :D

At 8/24/14 08:40 AM, Voltus wrote:
Then such a contest might just not be something for you specifically, I really get your point but on here are a lot of people who (correct me if i'm wrong) make their music exclusively electronically. If we could arrange a small one round competition where you're only allowed to use one or two synths it might be really cool even just for a one off or something. I mean you could then again do a competition where you're just allowed to record stuff that you have in your room (not your instruments or when you use them dont use them in the way they are intended to e.g. use your guitar corupus as a drum or something). We would just need to be creative people :D

Yeah sure, do that, but not in this competition where the idea is to include everyone. That's my point, not that I hate the idea in of itself, just don't try it out now. Wrong place and time.

Rocker, Composer and World Ambassador for Foxes! I'm on Youtube. Veteran REAPER user. Click below for the song that got me 2nd place. :)

I can see the cloud of confusion in here. To be honest, everybody has good points and I think everyone is right.

My opinion is, sample quality doesn't matter, it's matter on how you use it. @Troisnyx, won NGADM with free Soundfonts and her vocal. If you do not have the skills then even with the world's best VSTi, you still cannot harness the power.

At 8/24/14 11:57 AM, KatMaestro wrote:
My opinion is, sample quality doesn't matter, it's matter on how you use it. If you do not have the skills then even with the world's best VSTi, you still cannot harness the power.

If you want a contest which is limited in terms of instruments or something, there's a contest I'm doing in winter which might fit that. Three rounds, one challenge and one theme per round, composing to the theme within the challenge.

If you want a contest which is limited in terms of instruments or something, there's a contest I'm doing in winter which might fit that. Three rounds, one challenge and one theme per round, composing to the theme within the challenge.

Oh, and the judges are all the people who submit.

And it is particularly awesome :D

No mather how good you are sometime, somewhere, somehow...Someone will blow your mind and make feel a beginner again..

If you want a contest which is limited in terms of instruments or something, there's a contest I'm doing in winter which might fit that. Three rounds, one challenge and one theme per round, composing to the theme within the challenge.

If you want a contest which is limited in terms of instruments or something, there's a contest I'm doing in winter which might fit that. Three rounds, one challenge and one theme per round, composing to the theme within the challenge.

Wait a second...... you're now set on doing that for the NGMT???

One of the rounds is definitely going to be the soundfont only challenge. Another will be only allowing percussive instruments. For synths, that means a quick decay and no sustain. For acoustic instruments, that means no strings, horns, woodwinds, etc. And no heavy reverb, stretching, retriggering, etc, in order to significantly lengthen decay time. It's a requirement slightly difficult to double-check, like the "only 4 instruments" one, but also like that one, it shouldn't be difficult to keep to if you have common sense.